Laudator Temporis Acti

Richard Bentley, A Dissertation upon the Epistles of Phalaris, Preface (p. lxix Dyce):

But he says the whole thing is a very inconsiderable point, which a wise man would grudge the throwing away a week's thought upon (p. 24). And I doubt not but many others, whose designs and studies are remote from this kind of learning, will follow this censure. To such men as these I must answer, that, if the dispute be quite out of their way, they have liberty to let it alone; it was not designed for them, but for others, that know how to value it; who, if the principal point about Phalaris were quite dropt, will think the other heads, that are here occasionally handled, not unworthy of a scholar. But that the single point whether Phalaris be genuine or no, is of no small importance to learning, the very learned Mr. Dodwell is a sufficient evidence; who, espousing Phalaris for a true author, has endeavoured by that means to make a great innovation in the ancient Chronology. To undervalue this dispute about Phalaris because it does not suit to one's own studies, is to quarrel with a circle because it is not a square. If the question be not of vulgar use, it was writ therefore for a few; for even the greatest performances upon the most important subjects are no entertainment at all to the many of the world.